Gov Ameachi Petitions Human Rights Body Over Rivers Crisis

The governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Amaechi, petitioned the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, to take urgent steps to avert complete breakdown of law and order in the state.

In a letter addressed to the director general of the commission, Amaechi accused the state police commissioner, Joseph Mbu, of human rights violations, adding that he has become “inaccessible and actively antagonistic” to his person and office.

The petition reads in part: “I Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, 48, male, Christian, married, presently residing in Port Harcourt. In my capacity as the governor of Rivers State, compelled by the duty I owe to Rivers people as their chief Security Officer … request for the urgent exercise of the powers and functions conferred on the NHRC towards addressing a grave and deteriorating human rights situation in the state.”

“There are on-going human rights violations in Rivers state falling within the investigative and other duties of the National Human Rights Commission. Abuses which need the independent and human rights competences and capabilities of the National Human Rights Commission..,” he said.

He said further that security communications or directives from the state government are treated with contempt as they are no longer even acknowledged.